Hockey Rules (Bucky Barnes AU x NHL)

Sweet Beginnings

*~* 8 Months Later *~*

*~* Emma *~*

As I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my dress, I couldn't believe all that we had gone through to get to this moment.  I was alone, for the first time all day, waiting for my cue to leave.  I stared at myself, waiting to wake up. A voice behind me startled me.  "You look good Em."  I looked into the mirror to see Ryan behind me.

"I can't believe today is here."

"Me either.  Seems like yesterday, I was daring Sid to snow shower you," he said with a snicker.

I turned around. "That was you?!" I crossed my arms.  "I was wet for the whole day you know."

This caused a loud laugh to come out of Ryan. When he was finally able to take a breath, he said "I've been waiting for you to figure it out.  I'm surprise Sid never ratted me out."

"He wears that like a badge of honor," I said.  I looked back in the mirror.  "I don't know how I'm going to do this.  He's supposed to be here."

"Hey," Ryan pulled me in for a gentle hug. "I'm here and so is Steve, Adam, Corey and Rob. We'll always be by your side.  Just like he is right now."  We stayed like that for a minute until the door opened again revealing Steve, Winnie, Becca and Wanda.

"Are you ready, dear?" Winnie asked.

"Yeah, we're ready."  I looked down as the bassinet.  My son looked up at me, his dark hair and blue gray eyes full of love.  Ryan reached down to pick him up.

"Hello Andrew Steven. You ready to walk your mama down the aisle?" Ryan cooed at him.

"He's ready, just like his brother," Wanda replied, holding Scott Ryan in her arms, his green eyes wide.

I looked at my boys, happy that today was the day we would make our family official.

*~* Bucky *~*

I watched as Steve and Wanda, our best man and maid of honor, walk down the aisle, holding our boys.  That was a surprise.  We went for our 20-week ultrasound and found an extra heartbeat that we hadn't heard before.  My mom was over the moon.  So was the team.  Two new players for the future.

The boys were born right before we started our playoff run. I was able to take a week off before Emma insisted that I finished out the season.  My mom came out to stay with her while I traveled.  We won the third Stanley cup a few weeks ago in Anaheim.  My boys were in the building when we lifted the cup again.  Come to think about it, they were there when we won it the last time.  But this time we were able to take pictures of the boys inside the cup.

The music changed and brought me out of my thoughts.  The church doors opened again, revealing Emma and Ryan.  I was happy that Emma chose Ryan to walk her down the aisle.  She could have had Rob but she felt like he looked too much like her dad that she wouldn't be able to walk from the emotion.

I couldn't help but stare at the vision in front of me.  I felt the tears prickling at my eyes.  Almost two years ago I met her and I found my home.  I didn't even know I was missing it.

Steve leaned over with Andy to whisper in my ear, "You are a lucky punk, you know that."

"Remind me every day, jerk," I whispered back as Emma made her way to me.  I shook Ryan's hand before he pulled me in for a hug.  He kissed Emma's cheek before I took her in my hand.

The minister cleared his throat, "Family and friends, we gather here today to witness the union of James Buchanan Barnes and Emma Abigail Niedermeyer.  Who gives this woman to this man for holy matrimony?"

"We do." A chorus of Duck players replied to the chuckle of the rest of our audience. The rest of the ceremony was simple.  Steve and Andy handed me the ring for Emma.  "I, James, promise to love, honor and cherish you, Emma, for all the days of my life." I slipped the ring onto her hand, next to her engagement ring.

Wanda and Scotty handed my ring to Emma.  "I, Emma, promise to love, honor and cherish you, James, for all the days of my life." She put the ring on my hand.

"By the power vested in me, by the state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  James, you may kiss your bride."

I took Emma's head in my hands.  "I love you, doll."

She replied, "I love you, James."  I leaned down and kissed her.  It felt like that first time, soft and perfect.

"Ladies and Gentleman, may I present Mr. and Mrs. James Barnes!" The minister announced as the crowd cheered.

We made it to the reception and did all the traditional stuff.  We had our first dance and I danced with my mom.  We had told the DJ to skip the father/daughter dance when Ryan approached the mic.

"Umm, as you may know, we are missing someone here tonight that should be with us." Ryan cleared his throat, trying not to show too much emotion.  He looked up to the sky. "Scott, we miss you and I hope you are enjoying the party from up there."  I could feel Emma tense in my hand.  I had no idea what Ryan was planning.

"Some of us wanted to make Emma feel like she wasn't missing any part of her wedding.  This would be the time for a dance with her dad.  Emma," he turned to look at her, "I know we can't replace him, but hopefully for the next few minutes, you know how much you are loved."

That John Mayer song started to play as Ryan approached Emma and took her hand.  She looked back at me with shiny eyes. Ryan danced with her before Steve stepped up and took her in his arms.  That's when I notice that the entire team had lined up to take a spin with her.  It took a couple of songs but every single one of them danced with my girl, making sure she knew that, while her dad was gone, she would never be alone.

I could finally claim her back and I danced with her slowly, just enjoying her being in my arms. "You have made me the happiest man in the world, doll."

"I'm happy too." She leaned against me.  "I'm so happy with you and the boys and Steve.  Our little family. I'm really happy I broke the rules for you."

"Rules?" I looked at her curiously.

"My hockey rules." She looked up at me with a smirk.  "One, don't date the players. Two, don't fall in love." She gave me a kiss.  "I only followed one of them.  Three, make sure, if I broke one and two, he's worth it. I love you so much Bucky.  You are so worth it."

"Love you Emma, my light, guiding me home."

The End